In your own words, why does your nominee deserve recognition as a CNN Hero? Please
describe in detail your nominee’s specific accomplishments and what was involved in
achieving them. Be sure to include the dates of the activities.

My husband Brad Mersereau deserves to be recognized as a hero because his tireless efforts
to save young people from the tragedy of drug/alcohol addiction have opened doors to freedom
for many children already and will continue to lead the young in countless countries out of their
self-made prisons into the sunlight. Brad’s mission is to keep the memory of his sister Laura
alive with proactive addiction recovery and prevention support at his website
www.bradmersereau.com. Laura died on June 13, 1999, four months and six days after her 46th
birthday, from health causes related to her 25-year unsuccessful struggle with alcoholism.
Sadly, 100,000 Americans die annually for similar reasons from this disease. 25% of America’s
college youth are abusing or are addicted to alcohol or drugs. In December 2008, Brad cosponsored
with the Oregon Partnership
a college scholarship essay contest with 125 high school participants describing their effective drug/alcohol
refusal skillsets. Since launching his website in May 2006, Brad has secured 5325 sobriety anniversary
years from 380 anonymous participants and 123 sobriety pledges.

How have your nominee’s efforts made a difference for the better? Please describe their
impact, potential impact, and how they have inspired others.

The positive effects of Brad’s mission-inspired work have grown exponentially. He believes
that leveraged fund-raising can produce effective sobriety-related outcomes. Brad has
raised $2,360,000 for 9 Portland, Oregon-based addiction prevention and recovery programs
since Laura’s death on June 13, 1999. Matching funds in these programs total $1,400,000.
Union Gospel Mission considered Brad’s lead gift a tipping point for their LifeChange
residence facility. Central City Concern credits Brad’s fund-raising and vision as instrumental
in establishing “Laura’s Place,” a monitored transitional recovery 4-plex for women who are
breaking the bonds of their former addictions.

Is there a specific incident or turning point that motivated your nominee to take action?

Laura’s 25-year alcohol-induced downward spiral was a slow suicide culminating in her death.
This motivating event set my husband on an intentional course of action. Energized by the
bittersweet strength of heartbreak, he seeks the solace of a cleansing scar — to be achieved
by his mending drive to make Laura’s memory matter. Brad considers the process of addiction
prevention and recovery a Sisyphian puzzle to be solved.

Is there anything else that makes your nominee exceptional or unique?

Brad Mersereau is a multi-talented man. He is a gifted musician, composer, spiritual leader,
mathematician, social activist, and teacher. His varied abilities are directed toward a single
purpose: the ever-widening implementation of his mission to keep Laura’s memory alive.
His macro-objective is to celebrate 1000 sobriety pledges and 20,000 sobriety anniversaries
by 2025. Brad’s musical compositions have been played by symphony orchestras and have
been featured on radio, on television, and in movies. BMI and IMDB confirm that over
45 million folks have heard his music via these media.

How will being recognized as a CNN Hero further your nominee’s cause?

Lives may be saved and recoveries may be affirmed through potentially hundreds more
sobriety pledges and thousands more sobriety anniversaries. As more people become aware
of Brad’s cause, the effectiveness of his campaign will increase. He believes Emersonian
self reliance fueled by reliable addiction prevention and recovery techniques is a game-changer.